Intersex people are born with physical, hormonal or genetic features that are neither wholly female nor wholly male; or a combination of female and male; or neither female nor male. The term is not applicable to situations where individuals deliberately alter their own anatomical characteristics. Intersex is not about sexual orientation; There are as diverse a range of sexual orientations as non-intersex people. There are as diverse a range of gender identities as non-intersex people.

The diversity of the intersex experience may encompass particular health issues associated with being intersex, especially if a person received ‘normalising’ medical treatments in their youth. There are also mental health considerations.

QuAC is currently working to ensure that our programs are inclusive of intersex Queenslanders. For more information contact Parker Forbes, Manager Healthy Communities Programs, who can be contacted on 07 3017 1777 or via pforbes@quac.org.au

For more information visit:

OII Australia: an independent support, education and policy development organisation, by and for people with intersex variations or traits. You can also find out more information about intersex health, rights, demographics and statistics here.